Sophia glanced over her shoulder and turned around, and her friends immediately followed her. The lively atmosphere enveloped them, chatter and laughter blending with the shuffling of feet. Sophia squeezed through the bustling crowd, pressing against men and women until she halted.

     In front of Sophia is a tall man dressed in a pine-coloured tailcoat that cloaks his figure and a black top hat that conceals his dark blonde hair. As the man steps forward, his chestnut-brown eyes catch the sunlight, reflecting a warm and welcoming glow. It is none other than the Chief of Hannsbarnne, Christopher Jefferson.

"Oli, this is our chief," Sophia said.

Oliver turned his attention to the chief, staring into his eyes. "Greetings," Oliver smiled.

Christopher, the Chief of Hannsbarnne, placed a fist over his chest. "Oh, greetings," he responded warmly. "You must be the Remaining Podeshire."

"Oliver," Oliver nodded. "Oliver Podeshire, sir."

"Oliver. Mr Podeshire. It is an honour to meet you," Christopher addressed Oliver, shaking his hand.

"It's an honour to meet you, too," Oliver replied as he shook hands with Christopher.

"I am Christopher Jefferson, the Chief of Hannsbarnne," Christopher introduced himself. He then continued, "And for the people of Hannsbarnne... I appeal to you to please... help us overcome the aftermath of a deadly catastrophic event that occurred here a few days ago..." Christopher's gaze shifted to his back.

Following Christopher's line of sight, Oliver's eyes landed on the plateau in the distance, marked by a noticeable landslide. "Is that the mountain?" Oliver inquired.

"Yes," Christopher confirmed. "On top of that mountain lies a flat land where most residents live. While some people do reside in the low grounds, most of those you see around us at the moment are the stranded individuals who need to reunite with their families up there," Christopher reached out and gently grasped Oliver's hands. "So, please, I beg you to help us. And I assure you that your kindness will be rewarded in kind."

Oliver nodded. "I will." He then glanced at Sophia. "Sophia?"

Sophia stepped forward. "Yes?" she responded.

"May you lead us to the plateau?" Oliver asked.

"Sure thing," Sophia affirmed.

     Oliver, Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany, accompanied by Christopher, ventured down the bustling street towards the destroyed plateau. They walked along the lively thoroughfare, passing by quaint establishments and wooden households. The buildings stood with an old-world allure reminiscent of medieval architecture.

     Cobblestone bases lined the street, providing a sturdy footing for men and women. The wooden walls, painted white, gleamed under the sunlight, contrasting against the surrounding colours. The pointy roofs, with brick chimneys releasing thin trails of smoke into the air, reached for the flying birds in the sky.

     Oliver's gaze fixated on the pointy roofs of the buildings, his jaw hanging open in astonishment. His eyes darted from left to right, glancing at the vibrant scene around him. Amongst the bustling street, stands and stalls emerged, manned by vendors who performed their craft, concocting magical elixirs and potions. The air crackled as the potion makers deftly mixed their ingredients, causing powdery explosions from the cauldrons that resembled colourful fireworks.

"Wow..." Oliver whispered.

     Oliver's gaze shifted to his right side, where a pen enclosed by wooden fences held a group of men. As he continued walking, his eyes remained fixed on the scene. However, upon spotting something that caught his attention, his feet abruptly rooted to the ground.

"Woah. What's that?" Oliver gasped.

"Hey, look! It's a baby dragon!" Gregory pointed.

"Wait, that's a dragon?" Oliver grinned, moving closer to the railings and leaning over for a better look.

"It is!" Gregory nodded.

"Wow, that's incredible!" Oliver thought.

Suddenly, Edgar leapt forward, shaking Oliver and Gregory vigorously. "Is that a baby dragon!? A real dragon!? A dragon, right before our eyes!? A tiny, itsy-bitsy baby dragon!?"

     The baby dragon stood before the others, resembling a newborn crocodile. Its large, circular eyes held sharp, predatory pupils. Its ginger-brown scales shimmered under the sunlight as it playfully flapped its two tiny wings. It raced around the pen, bouncing on its two hind legs.

     The commotion caused by Edgar catches the dragon's attention. Curious, it turns its gaze toward him. Suddenly, the dragon puffs out flame from its mouth, unleashing a fiery blaze that surges towards Edgar's face.

As Edgar cautiously opened his eyes, he discovered that his face had been charred black by the fiery blast. Shocked and confused, he murmured, "What...?"

     As everyone else resumed walking, their hands behind their backs, Edgar remained frozen, leaning against the fence. His eyes widened, fixed on the baby dragon before him. The concrete street stretched ahead, but Edgar's attention was captured by the creature before him.

"I—" Edgar uttered.

     Soon, the group came to an abrupt yet expected halt. Piles of rocks and rubble were scattered before them, a stark reminder of the devastation ahead. Just a few meters away stood the plateau, whose once majestic form that used to loom over the clouds had become a scene of destruction.

     Oliver took his time to crane his neck, directing his gaze upward towards the sky. His head tilted steadily, allowing his eyes to glimpse the mountain's peak. Oliver tightened his lips and let out a deep, cold sigh, impressed by the sheer height of the plateau before him.

"Here we are, Mr Podeshire," Christopher announced, bringing his hands together. "Take a look... it's steep, isn't it...? But believe it or not, this used to be a smooth road leading up to the plateau."

"How did you manage to come down, Sophia?" Oliver inquired, still staring at the peak.

"I climbed down," Sophia replied.

Oliver raised an eyebrow, seeking clarification. "Oh?"

Sophia raised her brows. "You know me."

Christopher approached Oliver. "So, what should we do, Mr Podeshire?" he asked.

Oliver stared at the peak, contemplating before responding. "...My companions and I will climb to the top," Oliver said. "And the rest will stay down here."

"What?" Edgar's eyes widened in disbelief. "We're going to climb that thing?"

"Mhm," Oliver nodded with his eyes closed.

"Oh..." Edgar cast a hesitant gaze towards the pinnacle of the plateau as his spine slumped with uncertainty.

     Without hesitation, Oliver strides forward, approaching the plateau. With a swift leap, he propels himself onto a sturdy boulder. Oliver scans his surroundings, his gaze shifting from left to right, assessing the next move. He chooses the path to his left and deftly ascends onto another boulder, steadily advancing above the ground with each step.

"Alright," said Gregory. "We've got this."

     The group found themselves in a relentless ascent, their hands reaching out to grab onto rugged rubble and piles of stones as they fought for each foothold. Panting heavily, their bodies strained with effort, they pressed their feet into the soil, propelling themselves upward along the cliff-like mountainside. Sweat dripped profusely, their exertions magnified under the scorching sun.

     As their fingers tightly gripped the earth, the group heaved their entire weight, pulling themselves higher and higher. They persisted until they reached the midpoint of the plateau, where they saw a breathtaking vista of the lowland town and the blue ocean. Yet, there was no time to savour the beauty, for they must press on. They climbed across rocks and stones, leaping from one boulder to the next, their legs propelling them forward with unwavering force, their shoes embedding themselves firmly in the ground.

     The sun slowly descended towards the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the sky. The once vibrant blue atmosphere faded into a mesmerizing palette of peaches and oranges. The wind picked up, its howl resonating through the air as the temperature dropped, offering respite from the climbers' sweat-soaked bodies.

     Shadows stretch across the landscape as the sun sinks lower. The interplay of light and darkness during dusk brings Oliver and his companions' silhouettes to life. In the fading light, the group appears as struggling shadow figures, their ascent up the steep mountain etched against the backdrop of the falling sun.